Playing — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun adjective phrase /ˈplā/ (verb) /ˈplā-iŋ-/ (noun) /ˈlȯŋ-ˈplā-iŋ/ (adjective)

Meaning & Definition of Playing

Playing (verb)

  1. to engage in sport or recreation, frolic
  2. to toy or fiddle around with something
  3. to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly, jest

Playing (noun)

  1. one of a set of 24 to 78 thin rectangular pieces of cardboard or plastic marked on one side to show its rank and suit and used in playing any of numerous games
  2. a field for various games; especially, the part of a field officially marked off for play
  3. a set of conditions for competition —usually used in such phrases as a level playing field
  4. the amount of time that a team member is allowed to play during a game
  5. an adventure game in which players advance a character through a series of battles or quests to gain experience, strength, and skill as part of a progressive narrative arc usually depicting the hero's journey —abbreviation RPG
  6. a state in which conditions in a competition or situation are fair for everyone
  7. a phonograph record designed to be played at 331/3 revolutions per minute

Playing (adjective)

  1. designed to be played at 33⅓ revolutions per minute —used of a microgroove record

Playing (phrase)

  1. to make a situation fair for everyone
  2. —used to say that someone is not thinking clearly

Playing (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in activity for amusement

    "told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work"

  2. to present a portrayal or performance of

    "played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic"

  3. to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior

    "stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank"

  4. to spend time in aimless activity

    "just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive"

  5. to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

    "this is how we're going to play the situation"

  6. to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event

    "figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery"

Related Entry: Play (verb)

Play is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for play, not for playing.

  1. to engage in activity for amusement

    "told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work"

  2. to present a portrayal or performance of

    "played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic"

  3. to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior

    "stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank"

  4. to spend time in aimless activity

    "just played around while we waited for the bus to arrive"

  5. to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

    "this is how we're going to play the situation"

  6. to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event

    "figuring that she had little to lose, she played her last few bucks on the state lottery"

    similar: bet, gamble, go, lay, put, stake, wager

Related Entry: Play (on or upon) (verb)

Play (on or upon) is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for play (on or upon), not for playing.

  1. to take unfair advantage of

    "the candidate played on the voters' prejudices"

Related Entry: Play (upon) (verb)

Play (upon) is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for play (upon), not for playing.

  1. to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means

    "played upon the customer's vanity to convince her to buy the expensive makeup kit"

Related Entry: Play (with) (verb)

Play (with) is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for play (with), not for playing.

  1. to handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously

    "please don't play with the telephone"

Related Entry: Playing (around) (verb)

Playing (around) is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for playing (around), not for playing.

  1. as in fooling around, catting (around)

Related Entry: Playing down (verb)

Playing down is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for playing down, not for playing.

  1. to express scornfully one's low opinion of

    "out of sheer envy, she would always play down her sister's accomplishments"

  2. to reduce in apparent importance

    "if you play down your part in the project, you won't get the credit you deserve"

Related Entry: Playing out (verb)

Playing out is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for playing out, not for playing.

  1. to make complete use of

    "we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal"

    opposite: renewing, replacing

Related Entry: Playing up (verb)

Playing up is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for playing up, not for playing.

  1. to indicate the importance of by centering attention on

    "that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings"

Related Entry: Playing ball (phrase)

Playing ball is a different word from Playing. The synonyms below are for playing ball, not for playing.

  1. to participate or assist in a joint effort to accomplish an end

    "She refused to play ball with the investigators."

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Playing

The most common words with a similar meaning to Playing:

British: hanging about

Near Antonyms of Playing

Word Forms of Playing

Inflections: played, plays, role-playing games, role playing games

Derived words: playability (noun), playable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Playing

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Playing

Frequently Asked Questions about Playing

What does "Playing" mean?

"Playing" means to engage in sport or recreation, frolic. As an a verb, a noun, an adjective and a phrase, it is defined as: to engage in sport or recreation, frolic. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Playing"?

Other words for "Playing" include dallying, disporting, frolicking, recreating, rollicking, skylarking, sporting and toying. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Playing" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Playing"?

There are 140 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Playing". Common alternatives include dallying, disporting, frolicking, recreating, rollicking, skylarking, sporting, toying, acting and doing.

How do you use "Playing" in a sentence?

Examples of "Playing" in a sentence: "told her son that he needed some time to run and play in the yard after his hard work"; "played Hamlet in the campus production of the classic"; "stop playing the innocent, because I know that you were behind that prank".

Is "Playing" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Playing" can be used as a verb, a noun, an adjective and a phrase, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Playing"?

"Playing" is pronounced /ˈplā/ as a verb, /ˈplā-iŋ-/ as a noun and /ˈlȯŋ-ˈplā-iŋ/ as an adjective.

What is the origin of the word "Playing"?

First known use: before 12th centuryi.

What is another word for "Playing" meaning "to engage in activity for amusement"?

When "Playing" (verb) means to engage in activity for amusement, synonyms include dallying, disporting, frolicking, recreating, rollicking and skylarking.